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Mount Vernon settles suits alleging wrongful arrests, excessive force

The city of Mount Vernon has settled four separate lawsuits that allege wrongful arrests and excessive force by Mount Vernon police.

The city is giving out $612,000 so far this year for the four incidents that occurred in 2013.

The former owner of a home at 328 South Second Ave. is set to receive $175,000 from the city. Vaughn Scott spoke to News 12 back in 2013 after police raided her home and held her family for five hours without a warrant and with no explanation. At the time, Mount Vernon police were investigating shots fired a few blocks away. The victim was seen jumping into a van and fleeing toward his aunt's house. His aunt is Vaughn Scott.

A total of $250,000 has already been given to two men to settle a lawsuit alleging they were wrongfully hurt by police outside Sue's Rendezvous in 2013.

The city also settled two other lawsuits this year that allege unlawful and false arrests.

The mayor's office tells News 12 that the settlements are routine and had no further comment.